On this week’s “Navel Gazing: The Valley Indy Podcast,” a few all-stars from TEAM, Inc. stop by a Zoom room to talk about two important topics:

1. The annual “Toys 4 Kids” campaign, which benefits thousands of area children, and;

2. The volatile Valley rental market, where it is becoming increasingly difficult to find apartments.

<b>Press play to listen, and please note the podcast is sponsored by <a href="https://valleygivesback.plannedgiving.org/" title="ValleyGivesBack.org">ValleyGivesBack.org</a>.</b>

The state DOT announced Friday it is receiving a $12.6 million grant to update the Derby-Shelton train station. This episode features Valley Indy ramblings interspersed with people who know what they're talking about: VCOG Exec Dir Rick Dunne, Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti,  and CT DOT Commissioner Joseph J. Giulietti.

Valley Indy story here: https://valley.newhavenindependent.org/archives/entry/12.6_million_grant_will_rehab_and_upgrade_derby-shelton_train_station/

Mayor David Cassetti’s administration said there are still no formal agreements in place nor contracts signed between the City of Ansonia and The Primrose Companies, the developer that has been eyeing Olson Drive for a recreation facility since 2019.

The topic came up during an Ansonia Board of Aldermen meeting on Nov. 9.

This podcast contains the audio from the discussion.

Read The Valley Indy story here: https://valley.newhavenindependent.org/archives/entry/no_deal_yet_on_olson_drive_development_but/

John from Pint o Comics is the guest host of this very special episode.

Guest John Marini of Sci-Fi at the Strand (165 Main St. Seymour, CT) is hosting a double feature Nov. 20, 2021: "Masters of the Universe" (1987) and "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" (1990).

Tickets: www.eventbrite.com/e/turtle-power-double-feature-tickets-187768018197

Episode guide:

First three minutes and fifty seconds: introductions & insults

4 min: Gildea & Miller react to last week's election results.

14 min, 25 seconds: Miller and Gildea react to a recent Hartford Courant story about state Rep. Kara Rochelle consulting for West Haven.

33 min, 46 seconds:  Reaction to Mayor Cassetti's rant against Derby on WICC radio.

<b>This podcast is sponsored by ValleyGivesBack.org.</b>

A 28-year-old man was charged with murder and risk of injury to a minor after allegedly killing his wife inside 73 Root Ave. Tuesday afternoon in Ansonia.

Kamil Zielinski is scheduled to appear in Superior Court in Derby today (Wednesday, Nov. 10). His name and charges were discussed at a press conference at the Ansonia Police Department.

Police identified the victim Wednesday as Grace Zielinska, a mother of three children, ages 5, 3 and four months.

Will Cassetti be Mayor for Life in Ansonia?

What are the Democrats plan for the Board of Aldermen/women in Derby?

Did the Ansonia GOP hide from the press?

What's the message from voters in Derby?

Can the Ansonia Democrats recover from Tuesday's trouncing?

Those questions are asked -- and so much more -- in The Valley Indy's 2021 Election Post-Election Autopsy!

The guests include:

Kianna DeCiucis, Ansonia Democratic campaign manager

John Marini, Ansonia GOP chairman

Aldermen Rob Hyder, Derby Mayor Rich Dziekan's campaign manager

Aniello Malerba III, Derby Democrat Party chairman